 Nava Cohen was born in Tiberias, located on the Sea of Galilee , in April 8, 1947 . For her compulsory military duty, she was assigned to the IDF Intelligence Corps, where she met Captain Ehud Barak. Education and youth have been a prime focus for Mrs. Barak throughout her life. Mrs. Barak became involved in "Elem - Youth in Distress in Israel " and currently serves as its president. Elem, which was first founded in the United States , reaches out to youth from all sectors - Jewish, Arab, new immigrants - and tries to help them solve their problems. Mrs. Barak has played an instrumental role in the initiation and implementation of programs targeting troubled youth, including the formation of a countrywide network of Consulting and Information Centers , and mobile centers that go to where runaways and those in distress hang out. The organization also runs "Coffee Shops" where kids can meet and talk, shelters for homeless youths and residential homes for longer term solutions. Women's health issues are another area of concern for Mrs. Barak and she has been active in raising the level of health care for women in Israel . Since 1996 she has been the chairwoman of the Friends of the Women's Comprehensive Health Center . This innovative clinic, an integral part of the Rabin Medical Center , is dedicated to ensuring the highest quality of preventive, diagnostic, medical and surgical care to Israeli women throughout each stage of life. Mrs. Barak took a leading role in the establishment of the Center's Women's Health Education and Resource Center , the first of its kind in Israel , which opened earlier this year. Women from throughout the country can obtain timely material on women's health matters both from its library and its online site, much of which has been translated into Hebrew. The center provides non-medical professionals access to health information and developments so they can make educated decisions concerning health care options. In addition, emphasis is given on prevention and education, and Mrs. Barak has hosted a variety of activities, including lectures, discussion panels, and more. Since 1997, Mrs. Barak has also been the President of the Friends of the Rabin Medical Center , a voluntary organization that supports the development of the Rabin Medical Center .
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